Creative Director of Ladies and Gentlemen Salons and Brown Aveda Institutes, is a North American Hairstyling Awards(NAHA) winner and 5x finalist and International Stylist of the year nominee for 2014. Sal has been trained by many of the best stylist in the Industry including but not limited to, Mark Hayes, Antoinette Beenders, Stephen Moody, Allen Ruiz, David Adams, and Lupe Voss. Sal is considered one the top 30 colorist under 30 in the country. His work can be seen globally in trade magazines and fashion events. Sal can be found at the Chicago L&G salon as well as on set for photo shoots, and back stage at fashion week.

We know you have trained all over the world… what is the one thing you have learned that really moved you? Or best class or training you ever received?

The best training I ever had was with Stephen Moody, he made me realize what was possible if you truly understood Haircutting. He didn’t hold back on telling it how it was and I appreciate that in a teacher more then anything. I feel to often I meet educators who sugar coat everything are afraid of telling a student they screwed up but Stephen was not like that. Something that always stood out that he taught me was to handle hair with a soft touch, he said you can either be like a rhino in a china shop destroying everything because they are big and clumsy or you can be an elephant which is just as big but can pick up and move things ever so gently with it’s trunk. Right then it changed the entire way I cut hair.

You have started an advanced academy with your salon what types of classes will you be offering?

We will be offering all types of classes We have a 3 day cutting class that combines everything I have learned over the past few years from many amazing teachers. We are doing a men’s cutting class and color classes also. The newest additions are photoshoot classes with the focus on how to set up and execute a successful shoot as well as stylists can shoot with me for NAHA and ABS stars and other competitions.

We have seen you start do your own photography give us your opinion on the recent trend of stylists picking up the camera and what it is had done for you as a editorial stylist.

Photography has become a great new creative outlet for me I absolutely love it. I try taking pictures of everything not just hair. I wanted to understand how to capture images in a many different types of light and how to photograph landscapes and portraits and now start combining them together. I think it’s become popular for stylists to pick up cameras because we are control freaks. For me it made sense because I felt like it was best chance for me to create what I envisioned in my mind.

I think it’s hard for some people to understand a vision when it’s trapped in your head. I also don’t like to do anything half assed so if I’m going to do something I’m going to set out to be the best I possibly can be and practice as much as possible and learn from everyone I possibly can. It’s been helping me shoot not only my work but also those that I train and mentor, it gives them the ability to build their portfolio and me to help get their name out there while teaching them how to see what the camera sees on set. The first shoot I did right after I got my camera won 1st place for one of my assistants at the Chicago ABS stars competition and now I will shoot Naha for some of the stylists as well.

Inspiration behind this year’s collection..

Vogue was the inspiration but a classic look back I wanted very simple but pretty hair very minimalistic. I am over the very photoshopped images with back grounds and people making hair in photoshop so I wanted my images to be very clean and have a sense of rawness to them.

Why NAHA? What about this competition keeps you coming back for more?

At first NAHA was a way for me to test my skills against others in the industry but now i think I’m growing in a different direction. I thought maybe NAHA was changing as well but it seems it’s not I think in order for people to take it more seriously outside our industry it needs to be held to higher standards and have a better way of judging.

Some people might not agree but I have looked over every image of every category that they have available and a lot of times I don’t think they stick to boundaries they set for the categories as well as being diverse enough. My only guess is it comes down to judges and what their personal aesthetic is. NAHA is a great way to get your name out in industry and I’m sure I’ll keep entering but I don’t think a lot of stylists are looking for a change and I think that’s partially why we are seeing more regional awards popping up which I think is so great and is glad it’s happening!

Want to come cheer Sal on?

NAHA is the most prestigious photographic beauty competition in North America and celebrates the artistry and skill of the professional salon industry. Each year, individuals are recognized during a star-studded awards ceremony.

July 13, 2014

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino | Las Vegas, Nevada

Red Carpet Reception: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Awards Ceremony: 8:00pm – 10:30pm
Don’t miss the NAHA After Party following the Awards Ceremony!

To purchase tickets click here.

Sal Misseri